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An interview with Dr. David Sack, CEO of Promises Treatment Center in California....

THERAPIST SPOTLIGHT

Ann "Barrie" Bondurant

Asheville , NC 28801

1. What therapy approach(es) do you utilize? What issues do you specify treatment for?

I use a holistic approach that examines all areas of a person’s life. I’m open to using whatever methods I think will help the person. My primary approach integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), somatic techniques, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), clinical hypnosis, and yogic breathing.

I treat a lot of people for anxiety and depression, as well as those who are dealing with too much stress in their lives. I work with folks who suffer from panic attacks and phobias, who have been abused or traumatized, who have anger problems, or who haverelationships issues. I see individuals 18 years or older and do couples therapy.

2. How does one know if therapy is right for them?

Just about everyone can benefit from therapy when they have a lot of stress in their life. Asking for help is less of a stigma now, but that does hold some people back. It takes strength for a person to admit they could use some help.

You also have to find a therapist that is right for you. Websites like Psychology Today and Good Therapy are good resources for finding a compatible counselor. Referrals from people you trust are also helpful. The crucial step is giving the therapist a good tryand walking away if the fit isn’t right. After 2 or 3 sessions you should know if you feel a connection with the therapist. Finding a therapist you connect with is the most important factor in getting better.

3. What can one expect to gain from therapy?

You can come to a better understanding of yourself and those around you. You can make peace with demons from your past or learn to cope with those in your present life. You can improve your relationships. You can develop a happier, healthier lifestyle. So much is possible if you are open to getting help and doing the work.

4. What is unique about you as a therapist?

While these characteristics are not unique to me, I am kind and compassionate and genuinely like being a part of people getting better and living more satisfying lives. I work on a sliding scale so that counseling is available to those who seek it.

5. What relationship exists between mental health and substance abuse?

I see a lot of people who abuse substances due to mental health problems. It’s such an easy way to cope and you can get hooked before you know it. Learning other ways to deal with problems can remove the need to abuse drugs. I don’t mean to make it sound simple or easy, because it can be very difficult and complex.

Barrie is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Asheville, NC. If you are interested in her services, please contact her at (828) 254-0749

1. What therapy approach(es) do you utilize? What issues do you specify treatment for?

Our practice is grounded in Modern Psychoanalysis which essentially means we look at people from a developmental perspective.

We have found that it’s not helpful to focus on diagnosis. Each person is complex and unique and we are very careful in how we examine what has gone on to make for the various presenting problems. Most people who come to our office suffer from relationship failures, depression, isolation, anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, lack of confidence, etc.

2. How does one know if therapy is right for them? What can one expect to gain from therapy?

If anyone has an interest in therapy, in learning more about themselves and about how relationships and life work better, then therapy is the most helpful endeavor. It is not beneficial for any mind to remain a “closed system.” When a person engages in psychotherapy, the mind has the capacity to resolve old issues and explore/expand on what’s possible.

3. What is unique about Asheville Consultation's therapists?

Our uniqueness as therapists probably has to do with the distance we have come in our lives and in this profession. The foundation for any good practice is doing the work that you prescribe. Like exercise for the body, psychotherapy is exercise for the mind — providing more awareness and consequently more options for living.

4. What relationship exists between mental health and substance abuse?

Substance abuse comes out of the need to find solace and relief from emotional trauma. It is not a disease. Misuse or abuse of any substance indicates a desire to feel better and frequently at very high cost. Some people find relief in prescription medicine, others in other substances but the underlying thrust remains the same. When people are in pain, they will go to great lengths to escape.

Anna is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Asheville Consultation, located in Asheville, NC. If you are interested in her services or those of Ashville Consultation, please contact (828) 318-6283 or visit www.ashevilleconsultation.com

2. What issues do you specify treatment for?

3. How does one know if therapy is right for them?

Therapy is right for an individual if it is affecting their daily life functioning and one is addicted to the behaviors.

4. What can one expect to gain from therapy?

An individual can gain insight into changes in behavior patterns and some of the issues that they exhibit that is inhibiting their life.

5. What is unique about you as a therapist?

I tend to have a great bedside manner and make clients and the natural supports feel encouraged in the treatment. I create parables for clients to relate to their concerns. I try not to force the therapy but allow them to be apart of the changes.

6. What relationship exists between mental health and substance abuse?

Substance Abuse can be a direct relation to mental health issues. If a person is not mentally healthy, they can use substances to hide the real reasons for not dealing with life changes. Sometimes an individual can have a feeling of shame and disappointment in themselves or life.

Brian is a Counselor and CEO of Journey Through Life, located in Raleigh, NC. If you are interested in his services, please contact (919) 454-4039 or admin@journeythru.com

1. What therapy approach(es) do you utilize?

I primarily use cognitive behavioral therapy, which targets changing thoughts and behaviors to bring about change. I use dialectical behavioral therapy, which is a structured, evidence based therapy for clients with emotion dysregulation, poor coping skills, and interpersonal problems. I use mindfulness based therapy to treat a wide range of issues from depression and anxiety to chronic pain issues. I also believe that health and wellness include nutrition and lifestyle changes. I work with clients to improve their nutrition and lifestyle thereby improving their mental and physical health.

3. How does one know if therapy is right for them?

If we knew how to make the necessary changes in our life or handle all that life gives us, they we would not need therapy. When we are feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope in healthy ways, it is time to reach out for help. Therapy provides a safe place to explore one's thoughts and feelings, gain new ways of thinking and taking care of ourselves and our relationships. I think that therapy is about creating a life worth living, obtaining optimum health and functioning, and improving quality of life.

4. What can one expect to gain from therapy?

Clients should expect to gain a safe, supportive person to help them make changes needed in their life. Change might include- perspective, emotional or mental stability, relational, physical and/or spiritual changes. Each individual defines his/her goals for therapy. Clients should feel empowered in the therapy process to approach issues that they have not been deal with on their own

5. What is unique about you as a therapist?

I take a whole body and life perspective. The mind, body, spirit and environment are all connected. Change often needs to happen on multiple levels. Supportive therapy can be helpful, but I also teach skills to improve coping in all areas. In addition, I am dually licensed in substance abuse and health/mental health. I am to provided integrated treatment to clients who have multiple or complicated issues.

6. What relationship exists between mental health and substance abuse?

Mental health and substance abuse are strongly linked. There is a strong connection between mental health, trauma, and substance use. Substance use can put people at greater risk of mental illness and trauma. And people that have mental illness and histories of trauma are more likely to abuse substances as a means of coping. Because I am dually licensed in substance abuse and mental health, I am able to provide integrated treatment that addresses both issues concurrently, rather than treating the issues sequentially. This integrated treatment has been found to be more effective and reduce drop out from treatment. Many SA programs are not equipped to deal with co-occurring disorders. Many MH providers do not treat people with active SA issues. I have significant experience helping clients who are struggling in both areas. Life can be messy and help is available that can meet complicated needs.

Debra is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist with a private practice in Raleigh, NC. If you are interested in her services, please contact her at (919) 764-4769

1. What therapy approach(es) do you utilize? What issues do you specify treatment for?

I work with couples in relationship because I believe humans are meant to live in connection, and when the ability to make social connections is impaired, life can become intolerable. The experience of separation, isolation, rejection, abuse, and neglect generate intense psychologically pain, and dysfunctional relationships often cause mental suffering or make existing issues much worse.

I work from an attachment theory perspective, which states that individual differences in attachment styles begin in infancy yet can change, slightly or dramatically, depending on recent experiences and relationships. With good attachment security, individuals are better able to cope with stress and are resilient to life’s misfortune.

I work with individuals and couples who have doubts about their relationship, who might be considering marriage or divorce, or who find their relationship unsatisfactory for any number of reasons.

2. How does one know if therapy is right for them?

Entering therapy requires an honest willingness to look at one’s actions and beliefs and to appropriately accept responsibility where necessary. Getting results in therapy requires being ready, willing and able to change, which might mean giving up long cherished beliefs about yourself or other people. Change might require setting boundaries and not allowing others to abuse you. Change might mean entertaining the idea that you actually are a valuable person, deserving of self-love and compassion. Even if you are not ready, willing and able change, therapy might still help you understand yourself and give you tools to help you better manage your life. Therapy is a gift to yourself and is almost never wrong for anyone.

3. What can one expect to gain from therapy?

In therapy, you should expect to gain the benefit of a very unique relationship -- a supportive and encouraging professional who will help you in numerous ways. Your therapist may help you see things from a different perspective, allowing you unload a burden of guilt. Your therapist may confront you on dysfunctional behaviors and hold you accountable to your stated goals. Your therapist may simply hold a flashlight so you can bravely look into dark places that scare you. Therapy goals and methods vary, but all therapists will provide a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space for you to explore yourself.

4. What is unique about you as a therapist?

If a client is open to it, I offer a spiritual perspective on how I view life and it’s challenges. I’ve had special training in spiritual diversity and I deeply understand both traditional and non-traditional belief systems and how they impact our daily living. I am very comfortable discussing spiritual issues and welcome those conversations, if they are important to the client.

I also see clients on weekends and weekday evenings. I make myself available at these times because getting counseling shouldn’t cause more stress than a person already has.

5. What relationship exists between mental health and substance abuse?

There can be a vicious circle of feeling bad, unsuccessfully self-medicating to feel better, feeling bad again or even feeling worse, and then repeating the process of using various substances (food, sex, alcohol, drugs) in an attempt to feel good or even normal. If someone is feeling bad, of course they want to feel better, and using substances may help in the short term. However, the consequences of using or abusing substances, such a arrests, job loss or broken relationships, also negatively impacts one’s quality of life and health. These consequences add another downward spiral to the vicious circle. Substance abuse of any kind only makes a difficult life even harder.

Diana is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate with a private practice in South Charlotte, NC. If you are interested in her services, please contact her at (704) 759-3250